Lateral coupling for railroad-cars.



No. 722,114. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903.

1?. KOHN, LATERAL COUPLING FOR RAILROAD CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I, 1902.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 722,1 14, dated March 3, 1903.

Application filed July 7,1902. Serial No. 114,649. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ KoHN, pisciculturist, a subject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, and a resident of 191611, in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lateral Couplings for Railroad-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a lateral coupling for railroad-cars and difiers from hithertoknown couplings by the fact that the coupling-hooks are not arranged toengage with each other from above, the coupling being effected laterally.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a view of the improved coupling from underneath the car. Fig. 2 is a side view, while Figs. 3 to 6 are details.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, below the carframe and in the center of same rods cl are rigidly attached. These rods have a round section at their front end and are provided with longitudinal slots 6. In these longitudinal slots bolts a connect the bifurcated ends of the coupling-hooks b, which at their front ends are wide and of massive construction, the said bolts being longitudinally movable in the said slots e. Furthermore, with these bolts a slanting U-shaped bent arms 0 are rigidly attached, so that the latter form, as it were, with the coupling-hooks b one rigid piece. The closed ends of this U-shaped shackle-arm are connected by means of stiffening-braces c of suitable length with the coupling-hooks 1). Below the cars are pivots or shafts 2', upon which the double-arm levers h 72. turn. The long arms of these levers h h are connected or secured by means of chains, levers, or wheel-gear with the shaft 0, extending along the whole width of the car, the latter shaft being rotatable by means of cranks from both sides of the car.

The coupling of the car is effected automatically in view of the fact that in the position of rest or uncoupled position the two coupling-hooks b are opposite to each other, from which it will be apparent that upon the concussion of the hooks the slanting surfaces Z of the same will glide upon each other and by engaging with each other will effect a rigid coupling. A spring 70, coiled upon the front end of the rod (1 and acting upon the bolts a, is provided to bring the hooks tightly together. The uncoupling is effected by turning the shaft 0 in the direction of the arrow by means of a chain-wheel m and a chain u, passing over a guide-roller 11, whereby the lever 71 h is turned and the short arm h of this lever pressed against the U-shaped arm 0, whereby this, and with it the coupling-hook b, after overcoming the spring-pressure is pressed forward in a horizontal direction, Fig. 3. Upon further turning the shaft 0, and with it the double-arm lever h h, the latter engages with the U-shaped arm 0 from the side (see Fig. 4) and supported by the stiffening-brace c forces this arm, and with it the coupling 1), also in a lateral direction, whereby the uncoupling is effected. If now the shaft 0 be turned to its original position, the spring 70 will press the coupling-hook, as well as the lever h, again into the position of rest.

The U-shaped arm-shackle c is so mounted that it will permit of a resilience of the coupling-hooks b in both directions. The sidesprings p and q serve as guides for the coupling hooks b. The arrangement of a ratchet-wheel s and a pawl t upon the shaft 0 permits of the coupling-hooks I) being retained in the uncoupled position.

What I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is

In an automatic coupling device with horizontally-oscillating hooks, the combination with the coupling-hook Z), of a rod 01 to which the said hook is articulately attached and arranged to longitudinally slide in a slot of the same, a U -shaped inclined shackle-arm c rigidly connected to the said hook I), a stiffening-brace '0 of suitablelength connecting the said hook I) to the said arm 0, a rotatable double-arm lever h h, arranged to engage behind the arm 0 and adapted to be turned from the side of the car, in such manner that my name, this 16th day of June, 1902, in the by the rotation of the said lever upon the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

uncouplin of the car the hook may be moved forward within the slot of the rod and subse- FRANZ KOHN' 5 quently turned in a lateral direction, essen- Witnesses:

tially as and for the purpose set forth. WOLDEMAR HAUPT,

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed HENRY HASPER. 

